05/01/2008 (NST Online), Kuala Lumpur - Some hypermarkets and grocery stores in the Klang Valley are experiencing shortage in the supply of palm oil-based cooking oil.

Checks with Tesco and Carrefour hypermarket branches in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor have shown that the stock of cooking oil is in short supply.

Although spokespersons of the two major hypermarkets claimed that the situation was under control, no one was able to guarantee adequate supply.

According to the spokes- persons, the hypermarkets were also working closely with the Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs Ministry to resolve the problem.

Visits to a few mini-markets around the city also confirmed the fear among consumers who have been buying the palm oil-based cooking oil in bulk.

"Lots of new customers have been coming in to buy cooking oil for the past two weeks," said Puchong-based Pasar Mini Sri Suns store manager Sunvram Sengodan.

He said some customers even admitted they came to his shop after failing to get cooking oil at other places.

"I can't promise anything but good relations with my suppliers will ensure my shop can still provide the cooking oil for customers," he said.

In Malacca, customers are only allowed to buy two 1-litre bottles of palm oil-based cooking oil each at a time.

Although this measure is by no means foolproof, the state government believes it will prevent customers from purchasing in bulk, which could lead to panic buying.

State Human Resources, Health and Consumer Affairs Committee chairman Datuk Ab Karim Sulaiman admitted there was a shortage of cooking oil in Malacca.

However, he said, there was no need for consumers to panic as there was enough cooking oil on the market.